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External-Beam Radiation

Side Effects From Radiation: After Treatment Ends

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The effects of radiation may continue for a while after treatment ends. The effects may even return after a period of months. This is known as "radiation recall."

In general

  • As a general matter, side effects that appear during radiation treatment may continue for a short while after treatment ends, but then they will gradually disappear.
  • If side effects continue longer than expected, contact your doctor.
Chemotherapy after radiation: If you have chemotherapy after radiation treatment, some drugs used for chemotherapy may sensitize the skin to radiation. The skin that was exposed to the radiation beam may develop particularly severe inflammation, rashes, or sores. This is known as "radiation recall." If it occurs, tell your doctor. Sarcoma: In the past, when low-energy X-rays were used, there was increased incidence of a cancer called sarcoma after radiation treatment. Today, high-energy rays are used. Rarely does sarcoma result. Breast Cancer:
  • If you want to breast feed a baby, you will probably not be able to do it with a breast that has received radiation. The other breast will be able to lactate.
  • Most swelling usually disappears after a few weeks. If the radiation is near the nipple and areola, the swelling may take longer to subside.
  • There may be minor cosmetic side effects. For example, the superficial layers of skin will die leaving a slight discoloration. The skin may darken and thicken slightly.
  • A treated breast is usually firmer than normal. In some patients, the breast may become smaller or larger.
  • Other symptoms which have been reported are:
    • A feeling of warmth in the treated breast that continues for months after the end of treatment.
    • Changes in sensation in the treated breast.
  • NOTE: There is no evidence that today's radiation will cause a later cancer in either the treated breast or in the other breast. Menstrual periods and fertility are not affected.
Lung Cancer
  • There may be aching and stiffness in the muscles of your chest after radiation.Simple stretching exercises can help. So can swimming.
  • Some people develop radiation pneumonitis - inflammation of healthy lung tissue that was affected by radiation. Symptoms may be similar to what you experience if you get the flu: shortness of breach, coughing and fever. If these symptoms occur, it is generally within one or two months after treatment ends. Tell your doctor. There are medicines to help relieve the symptoms.

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